Villa Iris hotel of Molivos in Lesvos (Lesbos) island in Greece:

Villa Iris Hotel
is located in Molivos (Molyvos), in Lesvos island of Greece. Villa IRIS is a
traditional family hotel in the historical town of Molivos (also known as
Mithymna), on the Greek island of Lesvos (Lesbos). It was build in 1989 and
was completely renovated in 2001. Villa Iris is the best of modern comfort
harmoniously combined with the warmth of the environment of the area. A quiet,
comfortable and distinguished atmosphere, it is today, following an ancient
tradition of hospitality, a place where one can enjoy a pleasant and relaxed
stay in Lesvos.

It comprises of 17 rooms and 5 Studios: All room are equipped with private
bathroom, refrigerator, direct call phone, music channels, satellite TV and
individually controlled air-conditioning. All studios are luxurious and are
equipped with private bathroom, kitchen, refrigerator, direct call phone,
music channels, satellite TV and individually controlled air-conditioning.

It it is within easy walking distance to every point of interest: 0.4 Km
from the town's main beach & 4.5 Km from Eftalou beach, 0.3 Km from
Molivos' Center where there are dozens of shops, taverns, restaurants,
cafeterias etc. to be explored, 0.5 Km from the Castle, 80 m from the nearest
Supermarket & 50 m from the Public Transport Station. Molivos is 60 Km
away from the capital's island, Mytilene and a bit longer from the Odysseas
Elytis airport (65 Km).

Lesvos (or Lesbos) is the third largest island of Greece
and has a long history that goes back more than 3.000 years. It has been the birthplace of famous people, such as the poets Sappho and
Alcaeos, Arion the Guitarist, and Pittacus, one of the seven wise men of ancient Greece. A
tradition that even continues today and gives the island that distinctive atmosphere which
makes it so different from the rest.
Sappho's reputation as a lover of her own sex, has given the word "Lesbian" an
international currency. Her reputation is based on some of the fragments of her poetry:
"I was in love with you once, Atthis, long ago..."

Rich in olives and fish, the island has an economic balance
rare in the Aegean and because of its relative prosperity the island is very easy for
travellers to reach even in the quiet months of winter. By air, one can get to Lesbos from
Athens three times a day and from Salonica three times a week. By Ferry-boat, one can
reach Lesbos every day from Piraeus, and from Salonica on a less frequent schedule.

Mytilene is the capital of the island and has a population of 30,000 people.
This is about one third of the total population of the island. It is built
amphitheatrically around its well preserved Byzantine Castle. Not very far
from there, on the north-east side of town, one can find the Hellenistic
Theatre with its superb acoustics and capacity of 10,000 people. Further in
the suburb of Varia one can visit the Theophilos Museum.

Twelve kilometers from Mytilene, near the town
of Moria, one can visit the Roman Aqueduct that was built in the second century AD.
Going further up north by the east coast, thru a series of beautiful little villages one
will arrive in the town of Mantamados, famous for its cheeses and the fine pottery. The
next stop will be Skala Sikaminias, one of the most charming fishing villages one would
ever see.

And then, at the northest point of the island one will find the picturesque village of
Mithymna (also known as Molivos), with
its mediaeval castle and the traditional architecture. Molivos is also the islands best
known resort. By some it has been called "the closed place to paradise, on
earth". The association with Arts is appropriate enough, for it was here in Mithymna
that the head of Orpheus is said to have been washed ashore after his dismemberment of the
Thracian women. Another mythical citizen of Mithymna was the lyric poet and musician
Arion. It has been said that he has been saved by the music-loving dolphin.

Only a short distance of 5 Km SW of Molivos the village of Petra can be found. Petra has
one of the best sandy beaches of the island.
Again further south the village of Agia Paraskevi is situated. This village
has a lot of old mansions and is known for the Bull Festival that has been celebrated
since more than two hundred years. Near the village lay ruins of an ancient temple of
Napaios Apollo and the ruins of an Ionian temple dated from the 3rd century BC. This
temple was dedicated to Zeus, Hera and Dionysos.

In the island's center, not far from Agia Paraskevi, lays the modern town Kalloni. It is famous for its sardines
which are caught in the nearby bay called the Gulf of Kalloni. On this gulf one will also
find the popular summer resort Skala Kalloni with its beautiful sandy beaches.
Also near the center of the island another well known town is Agiassos.
This town is
famous for its pottery. Going further south again we reach the towns of Plomari and Vatera
which have the most superb beaches of the island. At the western tip of Lesvos, Sigri is a pretty fishing village with a nice little beach
and a castle that goes back to the 18th century. Not far from there lies the Petrified
Forest, dating back fifteen million years. Finally, not far from Sigri, one will find the town of Eressos. Eressos has been the birth
place of Sappho and Theoprastos. Its port, Skala Eressos, is a famous resort with a
magnificent beach.

As it can be seen from its classical history, its abundance of poets, musicians,
philosophers and lawgivers, was one of the great cultural centers of the Greek world. It
was second perhaps only to Athens, in its influence if not in its power. As a place for a
holiday, for a rest or for quiet work, LESVOS is HARD to BETTER.
It is big enough to
permit that change of scene so necessary if one is to avoid "island
claustrophobia". It has a further advantage that it is easy from here to take a day trip or excursion
(excurssion) to visit Chios or to explore the coastline of Turkey.

Most hotels, apartments, villas or studios are presented here. Travel agencies
and rent a car companies can offer reservations for you. Restaurants, cafeterias,
tourist shops, jewelleries etc. are also here. Olive oil, ouzo, feta cheese, dairy products, pottery, ceramics, salted fish
& wood carving local products can be found here.
Lesvos is a beautiful Greek island with the best beaches & nature. The
island is suitable for alternative trekking, walking, birdwatching, excursions
to petrified forest in Sigri. Day trips to Molivos (Mithymna), Petra, Skala
Sikaminia, Gavathas, Eressos (Eresos), Vatera or Petra, Eftalou & Anaxos are not to be missed.